2010 CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL DAY ONE LATEST TIPS AND SELECTIONS

It's finally time for the 2010 Cheltenham Festival to kick off and we're looking at ground listed as good to soft, but the word on the street is that, after the first few runs, we may be seeing good to firm. I don't expect that to alter the equation by a huge amount, and there are plenty of betting options for those looking to back the favourites and those looking to back the longer shots as well. Be sure to check out all of our 2010 Cheltenham articles to get the lowdown from all perspectives!

In the 2010 Supreme Novices Hurdle, it looks to be all about even money Dunguib while Get Me Out of Here trades at 5/1 and looks set to provide the bulk of the competition. Dunguib has handled more or less everything thrown at him this season in Ireland and will be looking to make a big statement- likely with his connections eyes firmly fixed on next year's festival season. Get Me Out of Here isn't a bad bet, and will be well-poised to take advantage should Dunguib make any mistakes. Get Me Out of Here has wins against big fields this season- something Dunguib lacks, but if this comes down to pure class it may pay dividends to back the banker. 

The 2010 Arkle is fairly wide-open with Captain Cee Bee at 11/4 and trending downwards, Somersby is listed at 4/1 and thats an underlay in my opinion, he's an 8/1 shot at best in reality. Sizing Europe (5/1) will likely play the spoiler while Willy Mullins Sports Line teams up with Ruby Walsh at 15/2. 

The William Hill Handicap Chase has plenty of talent on display and this one is a fairly open affair. I know a few punters who are staying away from this one, but the Package and Bensalem are proving the slim choices at 5/1 and 6/1. Character Building is an interesting shot at 11/1 with Razor Royale at 16/1. If you're looking for a true long-shot here, try Comply or Die at 40/1- the former Grand National champ may role back the years in what looks a winnable race for a number of contenders. 

The 2010 Champion Hurdle is the race of the day, without a doubt, and we've got a prime face-off between Go Native (7/2), Solwhit (5/1) and Binocular (7/1). Punjabi has been dropping in price over the past few days and, though I won't be having a bet on him, he seems to be popular with the bettingf public. I think Celestial Halo and Khyber Kim are your real spoilers here and they boast quality prices of 9/1 and 15/2, respectively. The one that everybody seems to have forgotten about is Nicky Henderson's Zaynar, who brings form of 112 into the race and could bounce back here. I like him at 10/1. 

The 2010 Glenfarclas Handicap Chase looks to be about Garde Champetre and L'Ami- two French horses with plenty of quality over course and distance. I think these two, along with Sizing Australia, may be your top 3. 

The 2010 David Nicholson Mares Hurdle is always a popular bet at the end of the opening days action and we've got Ruby Walsh in pole position aboard a classy mare named Quevega, who trades at 7/4 alongside Voler La Vedette. I think Pepite De Soleil is a decent long-shot selection at 25/1.